Across Thailand there has been a general reduction in the incidence rate of HIV
infection in all but one special population group: married women and their offspring
whilst the incidence rate is relatively low (1.2%) it has remained steady for a number
of years.
This participatory approach aims to understand the married women's points of view
and to facilitate their self-care to prevent HIV/AIIDS for themselves and their next
child. The research utilised a three phase design: exploratory, explanatory and
intervention phases. The findings from the first two phases have substantively
informed the construction of the intervention phase.
The overall findings of the research indicated that women have general knowledge
about HIV/AlIDS and carried out general self-care practices. Specific self-care
practices however were lacking. Through the participatory intervention phase the
research has been able to illuminate a number of important factors pertaining to
women's self-care most-noticeably: the importance of support; the strategies women
adopt to balance health and social risk; the importance of consciousness raising; and
the need for culturally sensitive health care programmes.
The research concludes by presenting an analytical model of women's self-care for
the prevention of HIV/AIDS and makes a series of recommendations with regard to
the development of existing Thai health care services, the enhancement of the current
educational curricula, and the incorporation of participatory approaches in health
promotion and health care provision for families.